Joystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/casual-game-reviewer-responds-to-ea-demands-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/casual-game-reviewer-responds-to-ea-demands-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/casual-game-reviewer-responds-to-ea-demands-respect/#commentsFiled under: Culture, CasualSeems not everyone was very happy with EA's recent comments about the relative unimportance of casual game reviews. Over at casual games supersite Gamezebo, editor Erin Bell has posted a well-written response to EA Marketing VP Russell Aarons' argument that casual gamers trust their friends' game recommendations more than professional reviews. "Statements like these are intensely patronizing, not only to media outlets like Gamezebo who focus on the casual market, but also to the millions of discerning, media savvy casual gamers who drive the multi-billion dollar casual games industry," Bell writes. "If casual gamers didn't read reviews, I wouldn't have a job."

To be fair, EA's comments probably weren't directed at casual-focused sites like Gamezebo, but instead at the majority of specialist game sites that just don't seem to understand the appeal of casual games. Still, it's true that casual gamers sometime don't get enough respect from the gaming community. Just because a gamer doesn't have the time or inclination to dive into a Mass Effector a Halo 3 doesn't mean they don't take their hobby seriously. Or, as Bell puts it, being a casual gamer doesn't necessarily mean being "the kind of person who buys a game based on how pretty the box is or because it's based on their favorite television show." Of course, this doesn't apply to the Deal or No Deal game. After all, who could resist Howie Mandel's come-hither grin?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualEAEA casualEaCasualElectronic-Artserin-bellgamezeborespectMon, 10 Dec 2007 17:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/#commentsThe DS sells more than most consoles. The PSP has some games that look better than many PS2 games. Despite this, there are few magazines or websites devoted to portables. When the web or a mag do focus on a portable, it always seems to be to a lesser degree. If you need any proof, just look at the number of portable games that go un-reviewed compared to consoles. But when the sales are up as is the quality of the games, why do handhelds still get shafted?

They're a substitute

It seems as though some gamers and press view portable games as a substitute for "real" gaming. Just something to pass the time when you're somewhere unpleasant and unable to play a console game. While it is true that the very nature of a portable game is to give you gaming on the go, it doesn't necessarily mean it isn't as fun or as valuable of a gaming experience as console games. Anyone who's gotten sucked into Lumines or Vice City Stories for hours can attest to that.

Kid Stuff

While it's true that many games aimed for children have been released for portables through the years, there's no shortage of great games for any age. Especially this generation of portables, it seems more and more portables are aiming their sights for older gamers. Brain Age, Metal Gear and GTA are proof enough that in no way are portables just for the playground.

Less vocal fan community

One thing that hurts the portable gaming community is that despite the great sales for systems and games, the fan community is far less vocal than the typical console fan base. Of course part of this seems to be self perpetuating since if there aren't many online or print sources for portable gaming, there are obviously less places for those fans to express their feelings.

Not as many huge titles

Some would say that the portables lack blockbuster titles and that is why they garner less attention. This hardly seems like a good excuse though since at this point nearly every blockbuster franchise has a version on handhelds. From Metal Gear to Mario, if there is a big game on a console there is typically a counterpart on the portable. Not only that, but some portable games consistently sell better than most console games.

So while there may be no good reason portables get overlooked, it does seem like they're on there way to reversing this fate. With the increased importance of blogs and forums in the gaming world, it seems like only a matter of time before portable games do get the equal respect they deserve. Until then, the average gamer may just be too busy playing their PSP to even care.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogdsfansluminesmetal gearMetalGearpressrespectwhy don't portab les get more respectWhyDon'tPortabLesGetMoreRespectMon, 15 Jan 2007 10:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/17/a-special-message-from-nintendo-wii-fanboy/#commentsIt's here, folks. For many of us, years of waiting ends tomorrow at 12:01 AM, a mere twenty-four hours from now. And indeed, perhaps almost as fun as the Wii itself will be the camping out, braving the elements with your fellow Nintendo die-hards. But, a word of caution.

As you very well may know, the PS3 launch was horrendously chaotic. Reports are still coming in from around the country on various shootings, robberies, mayhem, and general discourtesy. It's true that Nintendo will have a larger initial stock, but the demand is no less. We at the Fanboy kindly ask that you show patience and kindness during your launch-day festivities, and remember that you're all there for a common purpose. Should you fail to claim a system on the day of, please, show respect and courtesy to those around you regardless. A few days truly isn't that long in the grand scheme of the things, and the last thing we want is to see someone get hurt over something designed to bring enjoyment and fun to the masses.

And with that out of the way, it's time to rock this thing. Nintendo Wii, here we come!